Thoughts of Dad - Don

Living in Greeley for Dad's education
June, 1951

Don leaving for his mission
August 1968

Louis Butler left his heavenly home many years ago and came here to the earth to experience a wonderful mission that lasted eighty-two years. He made many special friends and even cemented many of his relationships with formal ordinances that tie him to his wife and children together, forever. To say the least, he was not anxious to leave this mission, nor to say goodbye to his companions.

Having observed Dad for the previous month, and having discussed his condition with a few of the nurses and doctors, I felt hat he would soon leave this life. Perhaps it was selfish of me, but I wanted to talk to Dad about this possibility. I wanted to hear from him one last time, his testimony and any words of wisdom he might have for us as we continue here without him. When he realized what I wanted, he gave me everything I needed to know in just five simple words. He said, "I hope I am worthy."

Those words are so important. Dad had no doubt about who he was or where he came from. He didn't say, "I hope there is a God." He didn't say, "I hope there is an afterlife." He didn't say, "I hope Christ really is our Savior." He didn't say, "I hope Christ's sacrifice really does wash away our sins." He knows all of those things are true.

Arab son and Dad
October, 1979

Garden work
April, 1988

Avon, Colorado
November, 1996

Thoughts of Dad - Chuck

At the trailer in Greeley
June 1951

Dad with Tom and Don
1967

On my father's computer in his study, he has a picture on the home page of him sitting at his desk with the Bible open and he is writing on a pad of paper. This is truly how I remember my father. If he was not at work or Church, he would be in his study reading the scriptures of working at his desk planning meetings or church activities. He was always using his time to plan, prepare or study. By being organized and prepared, he was always successful in everything he set out to do.

My father always placed the Lord first in his life, and kept His commandments; he set the example for us by having daily personal and family prayers, daily scripture reading, and he always attended his church meetings. Whenever possible, he attended the temple, and he also served on a temple mission which shows me how important the temple was to him.

My father has been blessed in many ways, especially with the gift of teaching by the spirit which he has been able to do all through his life. My father was a spiritual man who loved his wife and family. He did his best to prepare us to return to our Father in Heaven as a family. We have been blessed in many ways and are looking forward to being with him again some day.

Together in Germany
1989

Rhine River Cruise
1990

Vacationing in Arizona
1992

Thoughts of Dad - Jim

Living in a trailer in Greeley
June, 1951

"Here is a picture . . . to show you how good I feel when I think of you."
1965

In my eyes, next to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my father was the most righteous man to have ever walked the earth.

When I was a young man, my father and his brother were Boy Scout Leaders. Together they helped many young men to be great men. They taught by example and through the Spirit.

My father believed in personal and family prayer, and personal and family scripture study. He loved the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Even during his weakest moments last week, my father was still teaching my brothers and I. Each day he would sit up on the edge of his hospital bed, my mother sitting with her arm around him, and he would tell her that he loved her.

Lincoln Monument - Cheyenne, Wyoming
Fall, 1987

Dad's 65th birthday - March 1985
Denver, Colorado

Dad with Jim's family
May, 1993

Thoughts of Dad - Lou

Today is the four-year anniversary of Dad's death. For the next four days, I will post excerpts from the talks that his sons gave at his funeral.

Lou, Jr. - Lou, Sr.
1947

Father and son
going to school together - early 1950's

Lou and his St. Bernard, Gussie, with Mom and Dad
1967

He used to take his time umpiring and assisting at athletic events. We thought he was being unfair, because he'd always make the call for the person on other team, and not us.

He was always the Scoutmaster. His biggest challenge was getting us to help set up camp instead of going off fishing.

He taught us how to work, mainly by example. He used to drag us four boys to clean the garage every Saturday morning.

Dad was always busy with Church, but he always had time for us boys with whatever we needed.

Dad would get pretty upset with some of the things we'd do, but he never lost his temper or abused us. One time when he paddled me, I said I didn't do it. He said it was for one of the times when I deserved it and didn't get it!

Pleasant View - 1995

San Diego - 1999

Delbert - marriage and career

Delbert
School Picture - 1981

Delbert Llewellyn Butler - Marian LaVern Williams
April 26, 1952

They were married by Bishop Maurice A. Evensen
in the LDS Church on 4th Street and Kingston, Pueblo Colorado

Their reception was held at the home of Delbert's parents
1806 E. 5th Street, Pueblo Colorado

Delbert graduated from Colorado State College of Education in 1957
and began his career as a high school business teacher.

Marian and Delbert with four daughters
Melody Kay (1954) - Sandra Gay (1956)
Rebecca Rae (1959) - Cynthia Elaine (1962)
(Delbert and Marian later divorced)

In March, 1966 Delbert had open heart surgery. I'm including the following pictures, because they show how hospitals and medical care have changed over the last 40 years.


That's quite an incision. . .

When was the last time you saw a patient leave the hospital dressed in a suit?


Delbert - his mother, Mable Butler
1988


Delbert passed away on November 7, 1997.

Delbert grows up

Delbert with friends from church
Circa 1940

This picture looks like a Sunday School class
Obviously, hats were a fashion statement

Delbert - 10 years old
Los Angeles - 1944
I think this picture was taken on a trip to California to visit Aunt Florence and Uncle Evan

Picture taken at the Brigham Young's grave in Salt Lake City, Utah
circa 1946

14 years old - 1948

Delbert's senior picture, perhaps
circa 1952

Again, I have no written information, so if you have any memories or stories about Delbert's life, please leave them in a comment or send them in an email to the address on the side bar.

Another year older

Tom - Don
High School Graduation
June, 1967

Do they even look like brothers?

Happy 60th to the twins!